Rutabaga | Laurentian

Grow thick, sweet, and wonderfully rich root vegetables of Laurentian rutabaga right in your home garden. Also known as Swede, this classic Canadian-bred heirloom variety is a timeless garden favorite, prized for its smooth, round roots with deep purple crowns, creamy yellow bases, and fine-textured, buttery yellow flesh that sweetens exceptionally well after a light autumn frost.

These hardy, high-yielding plants produce uniform, heavy roots measuring 4 to 6 inches in diameter with virtually no neck, giving you maximum delicious flesh per harvest. Outstanding long-term keeper quality allows you to store fresh, home-grown rutabagas in a cold cellar or refrigerator to enjoy sweet root vegetables throughout the cold winter months.

Why Grow Laurentian Rutabaga?

• Classic Canadian heirloom producing smooth, uniform roots with striking purple tops and yellow bases
• Fine-grained, non-stringy yellow flesh with a sweet, rich, and mild flavor
• Flavor grows even sweeter and more complex after exposure to fall frosts
• Outstanding long-term storage potential—keeps for months in cool storage
• Heavy yields on sturdy, cold-tolerant plants
• Approximately 90–100 days to maturity
• Grows best in full sun
• Open-pollinated heirloom variety
• Approximately 70-80 seeds per packet

How to Grow Laurentian Rutabaga from Seed

Direct sow rutabaga seeds outdoors in late spring to early summer (about 90–100 days before your expected first fall frost) for the best autumn harvest. Sow seeds approximately 6–13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 inch) deep in loose, well-draining soil free of large stones and rocks.

Space seeds roughly 2.5–5 cm (1–2 inches) apart in rows spaced 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) apart. When seedlings reach 7–10 cm (3–4 inches) tall, thin them to a final spacing of 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) apart to allow ample room for large bulb formation.

Maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season to ensure roots develop smooth texture and sweet flavor without turning woody or bitter.

Harvest roots in autumn after a few light frosts have enhanced their natural sweetness, but before the ground freezes solid. Cut off leaf tops leaving 1 inch attached for ideal long-term cellar storage.

Growing Rutabaga in Canada

Laurentian rutabaga was specially developed for Canadian growing conditions, making it an absolute staple across Canadian regional growing zones. Its stellar frost tolerance means it thrives during the cool, crisp days of northern autumns.

Sowing in June or early July ensures roots mature precisely as autumn temperatures drop, guaranteeing optimal sweetness and texture for your fall and winter harvest table.

For detailed instructions covering seed starting, spacing, watering, fertilizing, harvesting, and pest management, read our How to Grow Rutabaga in Canada | Complete Guide.

Laurentian Rutabaga Growing Information

Feature	Detail
Botanical Name	Brassica napus var. napobrassica
Common Name	Rutabaga (Laurentian)
Plant Type	Biennial grown as an annual root crop
Sun Requirements	Full sun
Days to Maturity	Approximately 90–100 days
Seed Count	Approximately 70-80 seeds
Pollination Type	Open-pollinated heirloom variety
Best Uses	Mashing, roasting, autumn stews, soups, root veggie fries, and winter cellar storage

Grow Your Own Laurentian Rutabaga

There is nothing quite like pulling heavy, frost-sweetened rutabagas from your autumn garden plot to enjoy all winter long. With its sweet buttery flavor, stellar keeper quality, and Canadian heritage, Laurentian rutabaga is a deeply satisfying and essential addition to your home garden patch.

Sow your seeds this season and enjoy a bountiful harvest of gourmet winter root vegetables!